I was feeling uncharacteristically introspective and melancholy last Sunday, and for awhile I thought it was hormones. I always know it’s hormones when I cry at Verizon commercials. Maybe I need some evening primrose oil or beetlejuice or something. But anyway, whatever the reason for the question I posed, I’m so glad I did it. Because the responses many of you left were so interesting, so compelling, so raw and emotional and varied, I spent many hours during the past week reading through each and every word you wrote. I couldn’t believe how different—yet strangely similar—everyone’s lives were.

For those of you who missed the original post, I had asked everyone whether their life resembles the life they used to imagine for themselves, and whether they mourn their former vision for their life or embrace the unexpected. I asked it in the context of my continual recognition that the life I’m living now is almost unrecognizable when compared to the life I used to imagine I’d have. And since I’m feeling melancholy again today (for non-hormonal reasons; see below) I’ll list a random sampling of the many heartfelt, sometimes heavy, sometimes hilarious comments you left. Since there were so many, I’ll likely list some more again soon. Thank you for sharing your soul.

“…I may not be an executive, but I am definitely a high powered female.”

“Let’s see…10 years ago I was 14. Does that make you mad? Or make you feel strange?”

“I do remember that I was never going to have kids. Now I have three. My life today is so much better and happier (and more sober) than my teenage self could have ever imagined. It’s also a lot noisier…”

“…and I didn’t realize that when you get to the other side of the middle of life (55), and it’s hard to change what’s already set, you start to wonder if what you did made a difference…”

“Life is never what you plan. I now work as a Millwright…a millwright installs structural steel, we burn and weld, and take care of all the machinery in our factory. I was the first female millwright at our plant among 150 male millwrights…”

“Ten years ago we were on Easy Street. If I were able to look into a crystal ball and see what was ahead of us over the next ten years, I never would have been able to enjoy and cherish the good place we were in.”

“MY PLAN: Making six figures, working for CNN, not married yet. CURRENT: Living in Africa on 4 figures. Is there such a thing?”

“Sometimes I think there’s another me, living an entirely different life, and occasionally we are aware of each other, or switch places…because I wander around thinking ‘This isn’t my life. My life isn’t a huge, messy house in Georgia with a husband, three cats, a roommate, and a child. My life is in a quiet little place in Colorado.’ It’s the oddest sense of displacement. I wonder if that other self ever has the same sensation.”

“…but my other goals…not so much. But you know what? They don’t matter. Not one bit. Because my family is my universe. And I have learned that it’s ALL about family anyhow. Without family the rest isn’t anything.”

“It’s not been easy. But to hang onto the pain of dashed expectations, one loses the opportunity to celebrate new and once imagined joys. I’m 50.”

“Twenty-two years ago I was deliriously happy, being married only a short time. We were impossible, couldn’t leave each other alone…My husband had a terrible accident nine years ago that left him with permanent brain damage.”

“I never had any plans and even those changed.”

“Ten years ago I was in a major depression and could barely get out of bed….Now I’m 56 and have finished two years of law school, have three grown children…and have the most beautiful granddaughter in the world.”

“I’m content with my life now…But I can confess…that I’m still holding out hope for the man I fell completely and forever in love with ten years ago. He’s still my heart. Maybe someday, but I’ll be okay either way.”

“Still trying to come to terms with losing my only child, no grandchildren and the loss of so much of my family. Not at all what I expected…”

“My husband and I drive old cars and live in a tiny house and live paycheck to paycheck in order to send them to the best school. I always thought I would have a life to be envied. The truth is, I am…I couldn’t have imagined it, but real life is much, much better…”

“…But I am back here and do work for a small newspaper. Is it what I expected? Not exactly—I’m not married to Josh Groban yet. But it’s a pretty good life.”

“I thought I would be…more…”

“Yes, I mourn…”

“One thing I never pictured was being diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 37…”

“I’m married with two kids, but I’m a stay-at-home-mom…It’s definitely not what I intended for my life, but it turns out, it’s everything I never knew I always wanted.”

“My daughter’s angst now is that she doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life; she’s a year out of college…I keep telling her that…fate will take her in many different directions, regardless of her plans…”

“Fourteen months ago, my life was more than I ever thought it could be. And then we lost our baby. And my oldest daughter was diagnosed with cancer.”

“When I was little, I was planning on Donny Osmond coming to my house on a motorcycle and taking me away. We would then become a duet and be famous…”

“I can’t say I’m unhappy but I wish I would have been a little smarter and not gotten pregnant when I did. I think I’ve made life harder for myself and my children…”

“I was too busy getting high and chasing boys. But 26 1/2 years of sobriety later, I wouldn’t trade all of the experiences I’ve had and lessons I’ve learned for that lifestyle again. God it was fun, though…”

“I am married to a man whom I regret marrying because he is not the man I thought he was…I have had nothing but crappy jobs and I have had enough. So I’m going back to school again. I start tomorrow.”

“The Dream: Husband, 2 kids, dog, large roomy farmhouse, lots of friends, lots of entertaining, family vacations. Reality: Husband, 1 child, tiny little bungalow, me working full time, very few friends, no entertaining, and vacations are rare…”

“I’m 32, and in a few short weeks, I’ll mark the third anniversary since I became a paraplegic. Not at all where I thought my life would be, and certainly not the ending I had envisioned for the bike race I was in when I ended up “tits-up in a ditch” to quote Proulx. But despite the fact that I’ve lost my “hot bod” and athletic prowess, there is redemption in sudden disability…”

“Twenty years ago? I was probably thinking ‘I should kick mom now.'”

“Twenty years ago I thought I would be married, have 3-5 kids, live in a nice house with a front porch and a pool. Fast forward twenty years later, and my life is just as I pictured it. I’m married to a lovely woman, we have three girls, nice house, porch, and pool. The only thing I didn’t take into consideration would be the lack of another testosterone creature in the home (human or animal.) I have two brothers, so I guess this is God’s way of paying me back for being a punk to my parents. At least my parents didn’t have to deal with the dreaded text messaging that comes with teenage girls. Can someone tell me how one 17-year-old girl can have 6,000 text messages in one month?…”

“I thought I would be in a city apartment in a place where the buildings are tall and block out the sky. That I would be bent over my computer writing things of worth, of weight, of value. Not so much…”

“It is so heart-wrenching to hear how happy everyone is when my life right now sucks the big one…”

“No regrets, of course, and hopefully Simon Le Bon feels the same…”

“The past 42 years has included two children we both adore, three grandchildren, careers we’ve retired from, and guess what I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. Did I did everything I wanted to do? No. Does it matter now? No. Would I do it again? No. Go with the flow…expectations lead to misery and depression…just let life happen. Grasp opportunity when it comes along, pay your bills, say please and thank you, laugh a lot, and be happy!”

“As I write this, I’m in a hospital with my youngest one, age three. She’s fighting cancer—for the second time.”

“I thought I’d be married with kids. I’m married with kids. Either I’m good at accomplishing goals, or I have no imagination.”

“…Twenty years ago when I was nineteen, if I saw myself now (married eleven years, two sweet girls, lucky enough to stay home with them) I would have seen a failure…but I don’t have regrets. More joy has come from happenstance than any planning. That’s the very essence of life—unpredictability.”

“I was young and full of myself. I would have expected I’d be in Congress by now, or at least have a few bestsellers out. Instead, I find beauty in the curl of the pansies below my steps, the way my dog gets his lip caught in his teeth when he looks at me, and steadfast love from my husband. Life is funny and sad. Sometimes the see-saw effect of it all makes me a little seasick, but mostly I bathe in all the wonder.”

____________________________

The verdict? Life is what happens when we’re busy making other plans. Who said that? The Eggman? Yeah, it was him.

Thanks again, everyone.

Post Script: Our busy weekend has been defined by working cattle, hauling hay, and, sadly, a futile search for one of our beloved dogs (not Charlie) who inexplicably vanished early Saturday. Will keep you posted, just as soon as I remove this fifty-pound weight from my gut.

Post Post Script: If any of you is missing a dog this morning, or feeling downhearted, or gloomy, or blue, just read through the comments of last week’s post. They’re a fast-acting dose of humanity…and perspective.

481 Comments

Cheryl in California On Sunday, July 20 at 7:51 am

I hope you find your dog…we lost ours a couple of weeks ago but fortunately he ended up in our local shelter.

2

Becca On Sunday, July 20 at 7:53 am

Wow…reading those comments made me feel many things, but mostly just blessed….really, really blessed.

I’m so sorry about your doggie. Hope you find him soon.

3

Siddie On Sunday, July 20 at 7:53 am

Good thoughts and prayers flying up that your sweet doggie is found safe and sound.

4

Annie On Sunday, July 20 at 7:55 am

Thanks for sharing,,,,,,beautiful

5

patti On Sunday, July 20 at 7:58 am

oopps, missed getting words into the first post. I loved reading all the comments. What it made me think…..there are days go by and I look back and think I did everything in auto pilot, because I cannot remebmer one worthwhile accomplishment.

6

Cheryl in Nebraska On Sunday, July 20 at 7:59 am

It doesn’t take long to find someone else who’s burden is a whole heck of alot heavier than our own. Somehow knowing that gives hope.
I pray that your dog finds it’s way home….

7

Colleen On Sunday, July 20 at 8:00 am

Loved the post – Thanks so much for sharing, as always. Hope you find your lost puppy-dog quickly.

8

JessieJ On Sunday, July 20 at 8:00 am

Oh no! Once when I was little, one of our dogs ran away and was gone for 2 days. We searched and searched and finally my mom gave him up for missing permanently. It was heartwrenching not knowing what had happened. Then, on the morning of the third day, he showed up at the front door, dirty and hungry, but otherwise no worse for wear, whatever he’d been doing. I will hope you have a similar result for your doggie.

Thanks for editing all those comments – they were worth the read. I hope your pooch is found soon!

12

GlendaD On Sunday, July 20 at 8:01 am

Prayers for you all Not just Ree, her family and a very loved Dog., But for all of you! May you be blessed this day

13

Jenny F. On Sunday, July 20 at 8:01 am

What a wonderful range of “life happenings”. It is amazing how that one theme pulled all these together in the end. Life does happen when you are making other plans. What a wonderful thougth to share with my daughter who will be in the planning stages of college here real soon. I hope that you find your beloved dog. It is heart wrenching to loose those critters. They leave a hole in your heart, for certain. We have lost 3 critters in the last 5 years. 2 to the unknown predators of the woods and one to the cat food poisoning of a few years ago. Happy Sunday to you.. You make my days enjoyable with your posts!

14

MaryB in Richmond On Sunday, July 20 at 8:01 am

Another amazing PW post — what touching stories, both happy and sad! Thanks for keeping it real, Ree, and you can sign me as one of those whose life took an unexpected turn at an unexpected time … but it worked out anyway!

15

Laura S On Sunday, July 20 at 8:02 am

I hope you find your dog soon. And, that he is okay.

Thanks for excerpting those comments from last week. I read most of them then, but that was a nice, but sometimes sad, recap.

16

Leigh On Sunday, July 20 at 8:02 am

How heart breaking. I hope you find him.

17

Annie On Sunday, July 20 at 8:04 am

Oh Ree, I hope he finds his way back home or you find him first. That’s an awful gut in your shoes feeling to be missing a dog. Thank you for the beautiful post today.

18

becky On Sunday, July 20 at 8:06 am

First I hope you find your dog happy, healthy and with just a bit more miles on his legs.

Second reading those comments made me feel humbled. I responded to that post but never went back and read the responses. WOW

Thanks for being the one of three reminders that God plans are not my own. The day you posted this if read it first here, then in a novel I”m reading and then heard it on a movie. Now I’m waiting for the circumstance where I know “This is my plan, Julie, not yours.”

He’s good that way.
julie

22

Theresa On Sunday, July 20 at 8:16 am

I hope your dog finds his/her way home I also posted a comment on the above mentioned post and then spent the next 2 days going back and reading all the comments. But just the fact I “wrote” something down and got it out, was a release for me. Some would call it a light bulb moment, I call it a “growth spurt”!

23

Megan On Sunday, July 20 at 8:17 am

I hope you find your doggie soon. I love the posts, I am trying to remember what I wrote! I thought maybe your were going to tell us the hormones were another baby!!

24

Debbie in S.C. On Sunday, July 20 at 8:21 am

thanks for sharing those……I have been truly blessed…….enjoy so much your blog….I feel sometime like I would just like to call you and say lets go shopping ,a movie…….a starbucks………..dessert,Hope the doggie finds the way home!!!!!!!Debbie in SC

That goofy girl On Sunday, July 20 at 8:23 am

That dog IS out there somewhere! With all of the positive hopes, thoughts, prayers of your 14,000 readers going to work, I’m sure that this will have a good outcome!

27

Jessie On Sunday, July 20 at 8:24 am

Ree, Hope the dog turns up soon! I know that feeling my husky left my best friends yard one night while we were out and she was gone for a week. It was the hardest thing I really never thought I could become that attached to a dog, but I did! She spent the week at a kennel and I was in Hell! Take care! My thoughts and prayers are going out to you all! Jessie

28

Nancy from MO/OK On Sunday, July 20 at 8:24 am

Ree – Hoping for your dog to come home. I know you’all are riding the roads and the pastures looking. I’ve done it before too.

29

Karen On Sunday, July 20 at 8:25 am

I hope your Sunday is a good one too and that you find your lost dog safe and sound!

30

Kim On Sunday, July 20 at 8:26 am

Our dog is like our child (since we don’t have children), so I’m praying you find yours. That made me really sad.

Ree … I wrote a poem on this very subject a few years ago. I called it “The Land of Neverwas”, reflecting the fact that the life we dreamed of, as kids, never did exist.

I’ll email you a copy.

33

Mar On Sunday, July 20 at 8:30 am

What a lovely set of responses. I can’t wait to head over and read the rest. As a 22-year-old woman, fresh out of school, it makes me realise I can’t plan too much for what’s to come.

For the record, 10 years ago I was going to a genetic engineer who bred babies in jars, matrix-style. Now I’m living in Canada’s biggest city, and work for the government as a new media analyst – after hastily changing my major from life sciences to politics the summer before I started university. No, it’s never what we expected …

Laura On Sunday, July 20 at 8:36 am

Ree, hope your fur baby returns. I have felt that panic a couple of times regarding mine and searched and searched. In the book “The World According to Garp”….the author likens this feeling you have in your stomach (something bad has happened to someone you love and care about) to when you get a call at 3:00am and when you hear the phone ring.. you know something is wrong (no one calls at that time of night with anything good to say) he says the feeling is “the undertow is taking you away and you are helpless.” It has been many many years since I read this and I may be mistaken about the exact wording but the feeling is unmistakable. I hope he/she returns.

Your post was beautiful, Ree. Thank you for sharing them as you did. I become introspective too at times, especially times when I’m filled with so much emotion – as you are now searching for your doggie. I pray that you find him quickly and healthy.

What a community you have created, Ree. A gazillion readers willing/wanting/needing to spill their guts about their lost and found hopes and dreams, who would all head to Oklahoma in a heartbeat to help you search for your dog. We’re all sending good thoughts and wishes to you today and hoping for the safe return of the wandering pup.

Is it Nell who is M.I.A.? Border collies are rather notorious for expeditions. I’m sure she will be back soon.

On the comments, WOW! The words escape me for those hurting but it sure does make me wish I knew them or they were near to give a big hug too. So if any of you are a little melancholy today consider yourself hugged from me.

Thanks for the thought-provoking post…I enjoyed it immensely. I’m thinking about you and your family as you search for your dog. That is such a difficult thing, to have a beloved pet–who is like a family member–go missing. Praying…

Feeling your pain as you look for your doggy. I once owned a “runner” myself, and spent a LOT of time searching for her over the years – until she settled down in her old age.

Thanks again for reposting some of the comments. I didn’t get a chance to read all of them the first time. It’s a nice sense of community to know that while we are all so different, we all have hopes and dreams….. and reality.

Seven months ago I left a secure well paying job for what I thought would be a better job. After 5 months of misery I finally quit. Now I have no job and nothing lined up, fortunately my lack of income is not crucial to the family. I was feeling slightly sorry for myself until I read thru some of the posts. Now all I can think about is the lady who lost her baby and whose child has cancer, and so many more.
God bless you all.

51

Kristi Martin in Georgia On Sunday, July 20 at 8:54 am

Wow! I just finished reading all the wonderful things people have written. I too look back and have nostalgia and I wonder sometimes where my life would be today if I had chosen the other path and ya know what? I have zero complaints! I am happily married and I have 4 miracles that claim me as their momma.
This year has been difficult. My mom, my best friend, passed away 4 days before Christmas. I can tell you, it’s not been easy for she was my rock and the ONE person that truly understood parenting and mothering.
Mom was always telling me to “grab life by it’s horns and hang on cause it’s a rough ride, but baby girl, it’s worth all the bumps and bruises that come with it!”
Did I become who I wanted to be 20 years ago? Nope. Not even close! Is it better than I thought it would be? Oh heck yea! Does anyone ever plan a road map to their lives and follow it the exact way you’re suppose to??? I didn’t!

Anyway, I hope you find your dog. It’s amazing how quickly an animal becomes a member of the family isn’t it?! I will put in extra prayers for you finding your family member and especially for the one who’s 3 year old child is fighting cancer.
May everyone have a blessed day.

That puts it all in perspective. Thanks for posting those. Much wisdom in those words.

I hope your dog is found soon. I know how hard that is.

62

Judy in Houston On Sunday, July 20 at 9:00 am

I, too, spent a long time reading all of the responses to your original post last weekend. And I found myself choking back tears and nodding my head in agreement and laughing out loud. What an amazing bunch of reader/friends you have brought into your life, Ree. I’m glad I stumbled across your blog and get to share in it all, too.

P.S. I hope your sweet pups shows up safe and sounds at your back door after having a wonderful adventure on the prairie.

That post was amazing, I don’t comment often (I’m too dang busy ready blogs!), and I didn’t comment on the original post or go back and read all the comments (I don’t know how you find time to read all of them!)

Reading this does illustrate how fragile life can be, how the smallest decision can change the course of an entire life.

I’ve always felt like “Into every life a little rain must fall”, and I’ve tried to weather my storms with strength and patience, but some peoples lives have been touched with storms I’m not sure I could weather. To become disabled? Lose a child or have a child face a serious illness? Lose a spouse? I guess it proves that human nature is to do what needs to be done and to carry on in spite of it all.

My life may not be what I thought it would be, I certainly never intended to be a single mom all these years, but I’ve always felt blessed to have my boys and more than happy with how its gone so far.

Thanks for sharing those. I missed the original post while at a horse show. My life isn’t completely like I thought it would be. I got half of what I wanted in life, it just didn’t turn out like I thought it would. But we’re all healthy & that’s something for sure. Good luck finding your dog. That’s always a tough thing to go through.

To those of you with hardships, may God give you the strength you need. I’ll be thinking about you.

66

cathy On Sunday, July 20 at 9:04 am

wow makes you think, doesnt it?
Probably a good object lesson for all of us. When we see people not performing up to snuff, or doing things that seem strange, maybe we need to pause and think…
Hugs to you Ree, I hope things work out ok for the dog, and be sure to take care of yourself.

sam On Sunday, July 20 at 9:05 am

All 7 of my children are still asleep! This mornings read was thought provoking while I sit in silence. Thank you! And as I glance at my carb-o-holic, fat golden reriever whom our family loves dearly I hope you have a happy ending to your worries.

…Hi Ree, that post you did made me cry. I didn’t take part in that post because quite honestly I didn’t know what to say. For the first time in commenting I had the “deer in the headlights” look, I froze, my mind went blank… There’s comfort for me in those comments so instead of commenting I just read. It was as if you struck a nerve in your readers and instead of being vague, funny, snarky, they poured their heart out… I think it was Oprah that once said, “it’s funny how we’re all more alike than we are different”. :o)

…Sending hope your way for the missing pup’. Hope he returns home soon and that you have a great day!

…Blessings all…

72

Charity On Sunday, July 20 at 9:08 am

Pam On Sunday, July 20 at 9:10 am

My heart goes out to those people whose comments on your previous post reveal great sadness in their lives. Since your blog is (mostly) written in such an upbeat, humorous fashion, it is easy to forget that not all your readers have happy lives.

I do hope the missing doggie isn’t Nell. From the pictures you have posted I feel like we all know her a little.

Wow – somehow missed this last week. This is deep – like crawling under your skin and exposing how you really, truly feel. What a wonderful venue you had for so many women to share about their lives. My life has changed drastically, I’m not living ‘the dream’ that I thought I would back then, but I always say that saying… “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans” – I see I’m not the only one it happens to.
I hope you find the doggie. Our animals are so special to us.

I didn’t read through all the comments the first time. I found that it made me sad. It makes me wonder why I get teary reading them. Twenty years ago I was the mom of two children with another unexpected one waiting in the wings…I was the perfect involved Mom with the PTA and volunteering at my children’s school. Twenty years later, I have learned that I was giving to others because I didn’t want to stop and think about how unhappy I was in my marriage. Now, I am a divorced mom of three kids with a deadbeat dad who owes over 70K in back support. If my life better- yes. Two kids are grown and successful and the unexpected bonus child has been the light of my life during some very difficult times.
Ree-I hope your little doggy turns up after his adventure.

76

Dot O On Sunday, July 20 at 9:14 am

It’s now Sunday morning at 10:15 AM and hoping and praying your dog has found his/her way back to your doorstep safe and sound.

C On Sunday, July 20 at 9:14 am

One of the reasons I read this blog is for the upbeat and humorous fashion, but boy it is humbling to read everyone’s stories. I pray for all of those moms with sick kids, those who wanted to be moms, all of us… great perspective…

79

Cherry On Sunday, July 20 at 9:16 am

one thing I was taught in a child abuse survivor’s group was not to compare my pain to someone else’s, Ree. Your feelings are your feelings and it’s ok. You have not only your own feelings to deal with but the kids, I know from your posts how tenderhearted THEY are. True there are other people dealing with horrible things but that doent’ negate your feelings or your immediate situation.

Thanks for sharing. If your pups anything like mine… he’s just found someone with a bigger treat in his hand at the moment. good luck!

83

pinkyestelle On Sunday, July 20 at 9:18 am

I hope your pooch shows up soon with his tail between his legs and kisses to tell you how sorry he is for worrying you.

84

Paula On Sunday, July 20 at 9:19 am

The song “Remember When” by Alen Jackson came on the radio while I was reading today’s post. I do remember when…I thought I would be a good teacher and became a wonderful teacher, when I thought I would have a good husband and ended up with a dud. But, I always knew I had great parents and sisters, and would be ok. I also remember when my 18 year old brother was taken from us and wonder what would have been. But that is ok, too. That is life. We never know what is in store for us, but gosh isn’t the ride GRAND!

I think whoever wrote, “Go with the flow…expectations lead to misery and depression…just let life happen. Grasp opportunity when it comes along, pay your bills, say please and thank you, laugh a lot, and be happy!” puts things in the right perspective. It’s something I need to get into my soul, right now.

Sending prayers for puppy return and the 3 yr old with cancer whom ever and wherever she may be.

87

Carol On Sunday, July 20 at 9:23 am

Ree, what a beautiful entry. All these stories, so very moving. Best of luck in finding your beloved dog. Our little dog is missing, too. She’s been gone almost four weeks now, but we haven’t given up hope.

88

Candy in MI On Sunday, July 20 at 9:23 am

I’ll say a prayer that your pup comes home soon. I know that feeling of anxiety and the nervous energy that comes along with it when your dog runs off. Hopefully you’ll be writing with photos of your happy reunion soon. Good luck and ((Hugs))!!

89

brigid On Sunday, July 20 at 9:25 am

Oh my, I am so deeply moved by this post. I didn’t respond to the original one mainly because I had never made any plans but just went with the flow. And now, in my “golden years” I do the same. Sending much love to you and all the posters, and hoping your doggie comes home.

90

Claudia W On Sunday, July 20 at 9:25 am

I don’t think I commented on that post of “our plans” but I certainly can say, I don’t think I had any and those have changed, Like someone else commented above.
I hope you find the dog, losing a beloved pet is as bad as losing a child. Heaven forbid one of my pooches should disappear. I would be devastated! Good luck!

ms ellie On Sunday, July 20 at 9:33 am

What a great summary on last Sunday’s post…I read many of the comments (though I didn’t post) and found myself quite reflective this week. Sometimes I look back and wonder what it would be like “if” and mostly I realize that I would have had to have a bit more life experience to have made different choices than what I did. Perhaps turning 40 last month did bring some wisdom.

Now, looking forward, what to do about that with the knowledge gained from looking back…this is what is occupying my thoughts now. Especially when there are more people involved and change, self-actualization, is a clear road switch that you need to convince others to take with you or stay on your present course. Both risky in their own way.

Good luck finding your dog! It’s a big ranch, could he be locked in somewhere by accident?

I hope your dear doggie makes it’s way home soon, for all of your sakes…
I wanted to let you know how much I love reading your blog, Ree…I travel alot for my work (I’m a musician and have 5 men that work for me) and many times your website is a wonderful respite from the wackiness that can be my life sometimes. You’ve lifted me more times than I can count and I am SO grateful! Even though the internet world can seem a tad removed from humanity, know that many of us out here appreciate what you’re doing. Thank you Ree!
Much love & gratitude,
Kelley

this was a perfect dose of perspective, one much welcome in the midst of a time when I wander in much uncertainty, career suddenly undefined, single parenting, romantically unattached.

I hope your dog wanders home. What a terrible ache you all must be feeling.

96

Deb-IL On Sunday, July 20 at 9:36 am

Are you ever totally blown away by the little world you’ve created here and the remarkable people who inhabit it?

FIngers and toes crossed for the safe return of your pup.

97

Candy in MI On Sunday, July 20 at 9:36 am

**On a side note: I work in cancer support so, for your readers who are or know someone battling cancer, there are some wonderful support programs out there. These are three that I volunteer for personally. We volunteers send uplifting mail to let families know that they’re not alone in their journey.

Ahh I hope you doggie comes home. We spend yesterday installing an invisible fence system in our yard because our puppies keep running off. Now they are too scared to leave the house thinking there is a monster in the yard shocking them.

Some of those comments are really touching and really do make you think about your own life.

99

DJ On Sunday, July 20 at 9:37 am

I do so hope you find your dog!

100

Nikki H On Sunday, July 20 at 9:42 am

I hope you find your doggie, Ree, or vice versa, and soon. I didn’t respond to that post because my life isn’t that exciting, IMO. I’m just a teacher, but I have to hope that I have positively affected some of the many students that I have had in my 30 yrs. of teaching. And there you have it.